Coquitlam business gets $1M from feds to ease U.S. tariff pressures

A Coquitlam manufacturer is receiving $1 million from the federal government to modernize its operations and expand into new markets to weather global trade disruptions.

Mahler Machining is among 24 B.C. businesses and organizations sharing more than $30.5 million through the federal Regional Tariff Response Initiative, the government announced Aug. 10.

“Trade disruptions are creating real challenges for the B.C. businesses that are the backbone of our economy,” said Gregor Robertson, federal minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

The Coquitlam company manufactures complex metal and plastic components used in industries including aerospace, defence, medical devices, robotics, clean technology and forestry.

The investment will allow Mahler to add advanced manufacturing equipment, automation and new software to its Coquitlam facility, according to the federal government. These upgrades are intended to increase productivity and help the company expand into new markets as tariffs and other trade disruptions are creating uncertainty for Canadian manufacturers.

Robertson said the investments are intended to help businesses strengthen supply chains, improve productivity and find new markets.

Mahler’s funding is part of a broader package aimed at industries particularly exposed to changing global trade conditions, including advanced manufacturing, forestry, steel and aluminum.

The largest investment announced Monday is $3.6 million for Burnaby-based clean technology company Quadrogen Power Systems. The company develops technology to clean and upgrade biogas produced from organic waste into energy.

Quadrogen will use the funding to design, manufacture and demonstrate a lower-cost biogas clean-up and upgrading system intended for developing markets, including India.

Another $1 million is going to COTA Aviation, a majority Indigenous-owned Parksville company that manufactures specialized components for the aerospace and defence industries. The money will help the company acquire equipment to manufacture aircraft and defence-system gears in B.C.

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is a $1.95-billion federal program, specifically intended to help businesses affected by tariffs and trade uncertainty reduce costs, increase productivity, strengthen domestic supply chains and diversify their markets.

Ottawa expanded the program by $500 million in May, including $200 million earmarked for small and medium-sized businesses affected by steel, aluminum and copper tariffs.

Additional funding announced this year includes $300 million aimed at Canada’s forestry sector and $150 million to strengthen domestic food production, processing, storage and distribution.